Best of Benthem!

If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you’ll know just how much we love our independent designers, they’re a never ending whirlwind of inspiration and style, each with their own signature technique or motif. This week I’m taking a little stroll through Annemarie Benthem’s patterns – glorious projects from teeny weeny amigurumi to snuggly blankets and stylish homeware.

The Summer Flower Blanket, pictured below, is one of the most popular of Annemarie’s patterns, and you can see why! Just a glance will make you smile, and, as ever with creative crocheters, you can easily make it your own by introducing a new colour scheme or follow this gorgeous shade choice! It would look beautiful draped over a garden sofa, or in a conservatory!

Sticking with flowers, another fabulous pattern – an ebook this time – is the Flower eBook 2016, which chockablock with flower patterns, all in one place, and what’s more, it’s a free download!

Annemarie’s Large Floor Cushion is perfect for the huge trend in crochet for the home. These giant cushions are ideal for balancing a tray of tea or coffee, or for resting tired feet! This one is crocheted in Rico Fashion Summer, which is a tape yarn that comes in over ten shades, and the pattern needs eight balls, plus a 60cm wide inner cushion.

With the summer coming, if you’re dreaming of holidays, what better bag to take than this one? A gorgeous chunky crocheted bag just sings summertime! Make yours in Katia Cotton Cord, with an 8mm hook for a super fast make!

There are some super sweet toy patterns too! Annemarie has some fantastic amigrumi patterns for all sorts of little critters, but I adore this little Mouse and Cheese, wonderful fun for little ones!

There are three absolutely sweet sweaters for babies and toddlers in Annemarie’s collection. I love this beautiful little Lace Baby Sweater, with a button back. I can just see this on a baby, in the softest, softest baby yarn. Annemarie suggests Debbie Bliss Angel, but I would love it just as much in Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, which, although a little heavier in weight, would be absolutely perfect next to baby skin. The pattern calls for lace weight yarn double stranded, and a 3mm hook, so you could probably easily get away with a 4ply or fine sport weight single stranded here.

Annemarie has also created some fantastic patterns with Paintbox Yarns! I love the Daisy Cushion in Paintbox Yarns Simply DK! It’s a gorgeous cushion for your sofa, or a perfect (affordable!) gift for a friend!